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The IEP Tidal Wetland Monitoring Project Work Team (TWM PWT) facilitates collaboration in the design of monitoring and research programs to evaluate the effectiveness of tidal wetland restoration in providing habitat and food web resources to native fishes, particularly Delta Smelt and juvenile Chinook Salmon. The geographic focus of the team’s work is the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Suisun Marsh, but we strive to coordinate and collaborate with scientists who work in other areas of the estuary or watershed and with those who focus on non-fish aspects of wetland ecology.

The TWM PWT developed conceptual models as a basis for determining pertinent hypotheses about the biological effects of restoration. These were published in 2017 as IEP Technical Report #91: Effects of Tidal Wetland Restoration on Fish: A Suite of Conceptual Models. The hypotheses are the foundation for the Tidal Wetland Monitoring Framework for the Upper San Francisco Estuary (“Framework,” linked below), which provides guidance for developing project-specific monitoring plans, as well as suggests special studies to advance wetland restoration science in this region. The second volume presents detailed Standard Operating Procedures for recommended sampling methods. The Framework is a living document that is not intended to carry any regulatory implications. It will be updated as needed based on feedback from its users.

TWM PWT membership is open to all and currently includes experts in a wide variety of wetland-related disciplines as well as representatives of many agencies, universities, non-profits, and private interests. The team acts as a forum for the discussion of monitoring and research proposals and for presentation of preliminary results. The full team currently meets approximately quarterly, with sub-team meetings called as needed.